May 13, 2010

In Wang’s opinion, the potential success of Chongqing Blues proves the exceptional efforts of his film crew, but it is not representative of China’s film industry, especially not the artistic film scene that has been “gradually dying,” according to Wang, since 2003 when the market opened up to high budget, profit-geared blockbusters.

Lin Peng was mistakenly introduced on the red carpet as Fan Bingbing by the red carpet host. Later, the publicity director explained that the confusion and embarrassment was due to a delay in Fan Bingbing’s car arriving. (Xinhua)

Set in a small Chinese village, where an illicit trade in human blood has resulted in the spread of HIV, the film follows two fellow AIDS sufferers, played by Zhang and Kwok, who fall in love with each other.

Meanwhile Edko has also picked up international rights to Jacob Cheung’s Rest On Your Shoulder, a fantasy romance that combines live action with CGI animation.

The story follows a young woman who makes a pact with a mythical being to become a butterfly in exchange for the recovery of her sick fiancé. The cast is headed by Aloys Chen, Gigi Leung, Kwai Lun-mei and Jiang Yi-yan, while the crew includes award-winning Japanese composer Jo Hisashi (Departures, Spirited Away).

However, producer An Xiaofen says the film could have earned much more. “Ip Man 2″ was leaked online on May 4, one week after its release. The pirated version has attracted more than 10 million clicks. That would amount to 300 million yuan (US$44 million) at the box office, the producer estimated.

No Man’s Land in limbo

Update on Ning Hao’s No Man’s Land. According to reliable sources, Ning Hao’s oft-delayed, highly anticipated film has been ’smothered’, i.e., cancelled, last week. Even after numerous changes, the film had failed to meet the approval of the film review board. If this is accurate, film producer, China Film Group, stands to lose huge amounts of money that it has invested in it. However, a Sina Entertainment spokesman denied that the film had been killed. Aptly named, No Man’s Land, indeed. (Sina), 2